Navigating the Murky Waters of Telemedicine: Unmasking the Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating Strep Throat and Ear Infections

Today, I want to delve into the fascinating world of telemedicine and shed light on its limitations when it comes to diagnosing and treating strep throat and ear infections. While telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare accessibility, there are certain obstacles we medical professionals face when attempting to virtually diagnose and manage these common ailments. So, let’s embark on this informative journey, exploring the challenges and possible workarounds for our virtual encounters!

  1. Visual Exam: The Eyes Can’t Reach Deep! One of the key hurdles we encounter during telemedicine visits is the limited ability to perform a comprehensive visual examination. Imagine, if you will, the complex structures within our ears and throats. Sadly, our virtual powers are unable to peer into the depths of the ear canal or visualize the delicate tympanic membrane with the same precision as an in-person visit. This limitation can hinder accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
  2. Palpation: The Art of Feeling Ah, palpation, the art of feeling and assessing physical structures. Alas, in the virtual realm, our hands are rendered powerless. We doctors are accustomed to palpating the ears, neck, and lymph nodes to gather crucial information. However, this tactile component is sorely missed during telemedicine encounters. The absence of palpation restricts our ability to assess for tenderness, swelling, and other telltale signs that aid in accurate diagnosis.
  3. Differential Diagnosis: Unveiling the Possible Culprits of Sore Throat and Ear Pain When it comes to evaluating a sore throat or ear pain, it’s important to consider various possible causes. During a telemedicine visit, we strive to gather as much information as possible to guide our assessment. Let’s explore the differential diagnosis for both conditions:

Differential diagnosis for sore throat pain may include:

  • Viral Pharyngitis: A common cause, often accompanied by symptoms like cough, runny nose, and congestion.
  • Strep Throat: Caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, characterized by severe throat pain, fever, and swollen tonsils.
  • Mononucleosis: A viral infection commonly known as “mono,” presenting with severe fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat.
  • COVID-19: In the era of the pandemic, it’s crucial to consider COVID-19 as a potential cause for a sore throat, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell.
  • Peritonsillar Abscess: A collection of pus near the tonsils, causing severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and a muffled voice.
  • TMJ Dysfunction: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can cause referred pain to the throat, leading to discomfort and tenderness in the jaw and surrounding areas.

Differential diagnosis for ear pain may include:

  • TMJ Dysfunction: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can cause referred pain to the ears, leading to discomfort and tenderness in the jaw and surrounding areas.
  • Otitis Media: Inflammation of the middle ear, often associated with a viral or bacterial infection, resulting in ear pain, fluid buildup, and sometimes fever.
  • Otitis Externa: Infection or inflammation of the ear canal, typically caused by bacterial or fungal overgrowth, leading to severe ear pain, itching, and sometimes discharge.
  • Cerumen Impaction: Buildup of earwax that can cause ear pain, a feeling of fullness, and temporary hearing loss.
  • Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Impaired function of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, leading to ear pain, muffled hearing, and a sense of pressure.
  • Mastoiditis: A rare but serious infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear, typically resulting from untreated or severe otitis media, causing severe ear pain, swelling, and fever.

Evaluating Ear Infections: Otitis Media vs. Otitis Externa When it comes to diagnosing ear infections, such as otitis media and otitis externa, there are certain clues that can help us make a preliminary assessment during a telemedicine encounter. For instance, if you have been frequently in water recently, and are experiencing pain around the external auditory meatus (the outer opening of the ear), it is more likely indicative of otitis externa. However, without this specific information, it becomes challenging to differentiate between the two conditions accurately. In such cases, an in-person examination is strongly recommended to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

  1. The Importance of In-Person Evaluation: While telemedicine offers convenience and accessibility, there are cases where an in-person evaluation becomes essential to accurately diagnose and treat sore throat pain and ear infections. Factors such as the severity and persistence of symptoms, associated symptoms, and the need for a physical examination necessitate an in-person visit. This allows for a comprehensive assessment, enabling healthcare professionals to differentiate between the various possible causes and provide the most appropriate treatment.

While telemedicine offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility, it does present limitations when it comes to diagnosing and treating strep throat and ear infections. The lack of a comprehensive visual examination, the inability to palpate the ear, neck, and lymph nodes, pose unique challenges. Nonetheless, by providing thorough descriptions of symptoms and risk factors during virtual visits, we doctors can gather valuable information to guide our initial assessment.

However, for cases where the specific cause of a sore throat or ear pain is uncertain or when in-person evaluation is warranted, it is highly recommended to seek an in-person examination. This allows for a comprehensive assessment, including physical examination and appropriate testing, to accurately diagnose and provide the most suitable treatment.

Remember that telemedicine is a powerful tool, but it’s crucial to acknowledge its boundaries. If you experience a sore throat or ear pain, especially if accompanied by severe symptoms or persistent discomfort, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance. They may recommend an in-person visit for a more thorough evaluation if necessary. Stay informed, stay proactive, and together we can navigate these challenging times with your health as our utmost priority.

Note: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns or questions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

The Antibiotic Dilemma: Why They Won’t Cure Your Viral Infection

As a physician, it’s my pleasure to bring you a dose of professional insight on a topic that affects us all: antibiotics. While these miraculous medications have undoubtedly saved countless lives, their misuse can lead to unintended consequences and a host of unpleasant side effects. Today, we’ll delve into the realm of antibiotic misuse, uncovering the risks and shedding light on the quirky companions that sometimes tag along—nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections. So, fasten your seatbelts and let’s embark on this informative, humorous, and scientifically-backed journey.

Antibiotics: Wonders and Woes:

    Let’s start with the good news—the wonders of antibiotics. These powerful medications are designed to combat bacterial infections by interfering with bacterial growth or killing them outright. Thanks to antibiotics, we’ve triumphed over ailments like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and strep throat, to name just a few. However, here’s the catch: antibiotics are as specific as an overzealous chef’s recipe. They target bacteria, not viruses. So, when it comes to viral infections like the common cold or the flu, antibiotics are about as useful as a rubber ducky in a desert.

    The Price of Misuse:

      Using antibiotics like candy can have serious consequences, and not just for your taste buds. Here are a few risks associated with improper antibiotic use:

      a) The Rise of Superbugs:
      Picture this: bacteria attending a rock concert and antibiotics as the bouncers. When antibiotics are used irresponsibly, bacteria can pull off a sneaky dance move known as “resistance.” This means they develop the ability to withstand the onslaught of antibiotics, rendering these drugs about as effective as a broken kazoo. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or superbugs, is a significant threat to global health and can turn once easily treatable infections into formidable adversaries.

      b) Gut Check:
      Your gut, like a bustling metropolis, houses a diverse population of microorganisms. Antibiotics have a knack for throwing this delicate ecosystem into chaos. The result? A rebellious uprising of gastrointestinal woes, featuring nausea, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. It’s like a roller coaster ride through a wild culinary adventure, sans the thrill.

      c) Yeast: The Uninvited Party Guest:
      Antibiotics, while saying “ta-ta” to bacterial foes, can inadvertently invite yeast to the shindig. Candida, a pesky yeast known for causing infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections, can exploit the disruption caused by antibiotics. So, in a strange twist of fate, while you’re busy fighting one infection, you might end up with an uninvited guest turning your nether regions into a tropical rainforest.

      The Art of Antibiotic Stewardship:

        Now that we’ve explored the risks, let’s talk about responsible antibiotic use:

        a) Embrace Your Inner Sherlock:
        Not all infections are created equal, and determining whether it’s viral or bacterial can be a detective’s challenge. Your trusty healthcare provider, armed with clinical expertise and diagnostic tools, can help crack the case and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

        b) Prevention: The Unsung Hero:
        Prevention, my friends, is the superhero cape we all need. Simple measures like regular handwashing, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and practicing safe hygiene habits can go a long way in preventing infections and reducing the need for antibiotics.

        c) Team Up with Your Healthcare Provider:
        Your healthcare provider is your sidekick in this quest for good health. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, follow the instructions diligently. Take the full course, even if you start feeling better. And remember, don’t hoard antibiotics like squirrels hoard acorns. Only use them as prescribed, and never share or self-diagnose.

        In the realm of medicine, antibiotics are a marvelous tool that has revolutionized healthcare. However, like any powerful tool, their misuse can lead to unintended consequences and unwanted side effects. By understanding the risks associated with antibiotic misuse—such as the rise of superbugs, gastrointestinal troubles, and unexpected yeast invasions—we can play an active role in preserving the effectiveness of these medications. So, let’s be antibiotic stewards, embrace prevention as our shield, and team up with our healthcare providers for a healthier, brighter future. Together, we can navigate this antibiotic odyssey and emerge victorious. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and remember to laugh along the way—because a little humor can heal a lot.

        What’s the deal with Intermittent Fasting?

        snake-diet-fasting

        Intermittent fasting (IF), also known as therapeutic fasting (TF) or intermittent energy restriction (IER) has been getting a lot of attention lately in the news media, internet and also in the doctor’s office because it has been shown to help people lose weight and also help those with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) lower their blood sugar and insulin demands.

        Disclosures:  I have no conflicts of interest from any pharmaceutical company or research organization.  I do not make any money from sharing this information.  The purpose is for informational value for patients or others who are interested in learning what I have discovered about how to lose weight and also help improve the health for patients with diabetes or prediabetes.  I believe it’s very important to work with a doctor familiar with your diet, especially if you take medications to treat diabetes or heart related conditions so that together, you can ensure you remain safe whenever you change your diet.

        Weight loss is a popular topic, both in social media and in the doctor’s office.  I would suggest that a majority of major healthcare problems facing Americans today are related to being overweight or obese.  In fact, 75% of Americans are currently either overweight or obese and this statistic is rapidly worsening.

        Complications from the obesity/overweight epidemic:

        • Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes)
        • Increase risk of heart attack
        • Increased risk of stroke
        • Increased risk for some forms of cancer
        • Arthritis/joint pain due to the extra stress from the weight
        • Back pain
        • Low testosterone/sex drive
        • Low energy levels
        • Difficult to exercise because of the extra weight
        • Heat intolerance
        • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
        • Lower self confidence
        • Difficulty with bucket list items on to-do list after retirement such as travel due to decreased endurance, joint/back pain

        The problem with traditional “Eat Less Move More” model for weight loss:

        The most common model that all of us have heard about (and tried) in order to lose weight is to decrease the amount calories that are consumed and exercise more.  Unfortunately, we all know that this doesn’t work over the long term because whatever weight that is lost (if any) is regained 99% of the time in just a few months.

        As an example of the failure of this strategy, consider the popular TV series “The Biggest Loser.”  The show documented over-weight contestants who often successfully lost a surprising amount weight using the eat less, exercise more model that at first seemed to work remarkably well.  Susanne Mendonca, a contestant on The Biggest Loser – season 2 said “the reason why NBC never does a reunion is because we’re all fat again.”  In other words, although the contestants lost weight during the show, it was not sustainable long term.

        A study in the New England Journal of Medicine (N Engl J Med 2012; 366:2247-2256) examined the same calorie-deficit approach and found that over 5 years, the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the participants did not improve (an in some cases worsened).  Multiple other well-designed studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative have shown similar results over a 9 year period. This is unfortunate because many medical professionals profess that the eat less, move more approach to weight loss works, but the evidence shows the opposite is true.  

        Why doesn’t simply eating less and moving more work for long term for weight loss?

        Slowing metabolic rate:

        Over years, if you take in more calories than you burn, your body may increase the set-point of what it considers your normal body weight to be and will try to maintain it.   For example, if you are now 230lbs and have been that weight for months or years, your new  normal weight set point may change from the initial set-point of 180lbs to 230lbs .  This can make it much more challenging for you to lose weight, because the body will do all it can to maintain this new body weight.  If you decide to lose weight by taking in less calories, say 1500 calories per day instead of 1800 calories, your body will recognize that you’re not getting enough calories to maintain this weight of 230lbs and will actively try to stop losing weight.  You may feel cold as your metabolism slows down.   Instead of your body burning 1800 calories/day to maintain your weight, your body may decrease its basal metabolic rate to burn only 1300 calories per day, so you feel cold, sluggish, hungry and irritable.  You may start losing weight at first, but as your body changes your basal metabolic rate, you might actually start gaining weight gain (remember you’re taking in 1,500 calories and the body has slowed its rate to burn 1,300 calories/day).

        Hunger Signal:  As we lose weight, our body releases hormones which signal us that we’re hungry.  Unfortunately, even over long periods of time, these hormones stay elevated and make it difficult for us to overcome the uncomfortable feeling of hunger.

        Energy input/output – Two compartments for energy

        The energy that we need for living can either come from stored fat or from food that we eat.  When we eat, insulin levels rise and the energy from the food that we don’t immediately use for energy will be stored in the liver as glycogen or as body fat.   Insulin is the hormone in the body that signals food energy to be stored as fat. Insulin levels rise whenever you eat, and they rise to the highest levels when you eat carbohydrates/sugar. The benefit of a low carbohydrate, high fat diet in addition to intermittent fasting, is that both work to keep your insulin levels low to help prevent storing body fat.

        The pathway that your body chooses for energy usage depends on whether calories are coming in or whether you are in a state of fasting.   When you eat, insulin levels rise, and your body will preferentially use calories from the food you eat as energy and store the excess calories from each meal that aren’t immediately needed as fat. At the same time that the body is storing energy as fat, it will not break down fat that is already stored. This is important to remember, because the insulin (which is triggered by eating) turns off lipolysis (breakdown of fat) and turns on the fat storage process.

        Intermittent Fasting:  IF is basically described as not eating for a prescribed period of time.  When you take away the food energy coming into the body, insulin levels are decreased and all the energy that we need to maintain our metabolism for living can be mobilized from our fat stores.  Intermittent fasting is synergistic with the low carbohydrate, high fat diet because this treatment works to lower insulin levels and help prevent fat storage and promote the the usage of stored fat for energy.  Intermittent fasting is flexible however and can be used with any type of diet and can be used for short or long term.

        If you decrease the frequency of your meals to once or twice a day, do you eat just as many calories as you would normally eat if you weren’t fasting?

        Yes, you can in some forms on intermittent fasting.  Some people prefer to eat a large quantity of food all in one meal.  They might for example eat 2,000 calories in one meal rather than eating the same amount spread throughout the day. The idea is to eat until you are full and not more than that.   If you’re trying to lose weight and improve your diabetes, it is still important to pay attention to what foods you eat and the quantity. Lower carbohydrate foods are usually better for weight loss.

        How often can you eat with intermittent fasting?

        There are different patterns to intermittent fasting – some examples are below:

        1. 16:8 Fast – Skip breakfast and eat lunch and dinner during a 6-8 hour period of time (16-18 hours of fasting each day)
        2. 24 hour fast – aka One Meal A Day Diet (OMAD).   Skip breakfast and lunch and eat dinner (24 hour fast each day)
        3. Alternate day fasting (ADF) – Eat only 500 calories on the fast day alternating with eating whatever you want the next day (feed day)
        4. 5:2 fasting – Normal diet for 5 days, following by 2 days of only 500 calories on each day.

        Deciding to fast for longer periods of time than 24 hours is generally considered prolonged fasting which is a different topic.

        It should be clear that intermittent fasting is limiting in caloric intake but does not limit water.  In fact, it’s very important to drink even more water throughout the day than you normally would as your body needs extra water to help breakdown fat to use for energy.  Water is essential while fasting.

        Is intermittent fasting safe?

        Fasting has been used therapeutically since the 5thcentury BC.  Mark Twain said, “A little starvation can really do more for the average sick man than can the best medicines and the best doctors.”  Albert Einstein said, “The best of all medicines are resting and fasting.” Plato said, “I fast for greater physical and mental efficiency.” Even Hippocrates recommended periods of fasting. Nearly every major religions have a period of fasting that they observe.  Christians observe Lent where and other periods of fasting.  In the Muslim religion fasting is observed during Ramadhan.  Fasting is also an integral part of the Hindu religion. Many Buddhist monks and nuns follow the rules of Vinaya and commonly due not eat after noon each day. Traditionally, observant Jews fast and many Native Americans often used fasting before participation in a vision quest.

        So yes, I think fasting can be very safe in patients who are overweight.  In patients who are pregnant, have anorexia, trouble gaining weight, or are underweight, fasting is not appropriate.

        I recommend working with a doctor who understands your medical history and what you’re trying to accomplish.  If you have a history of diabetes, hypertension or other cardiovascular problems and take medications for these conditions this is especially important.  This is because within a few days of this diet, you will likely require less medication.  If you already use insulin, you can expect to lower your insulin requirements (or better yet,  be able to stop injecting insulin) when you decrease your carbohydrate intake.  If your insulin requirements aren’t monitored closely with this dietary change, you can become sick.  Lowering insulin demands can however be very beneficial because you’re treating the cause of the problem in type 2 diabetes which is taking in too many carbohydrates and insulin resistance.

        In my type 1 diabetes patients who have adapted to a LCHF diet, they report more stable blood sugars (less extreme highs or lows) and a lower overall A1c.

        When you fast, does your metabolism decrease?

        No,  metabolism actually increases slightly with fasting according to a study from the Journals of Clinical Nutrition.  (Zaunder C Am J Clin Nutr 200; 71:1511-5).  As insulin and glucose decrease, the body makes up for this by breaking down fat and using ketones and fatty acids for energy.  Norepinephrine increases and is a key reason why you maintain your metabolic rate. This is why intermittent fasting is more successful for weight loss than the simply eating less and moving more model of dieting which causes your metabolism to decrease.

        When you fast, do you just keep getting more and more hungry?

        No, we know that ghrelin (the hunger hormone) typically rises and falls over a 24-hour period and usually peaks around breakfast, lunch and dinner times.  If you don’t eat a meal, your hunger hormone levels go back to baseline after a short length of time.  Hunger does not continue to build if you don’t eat because your body is able to provide the energy that it needs from its stored body fat.

        If I fast, will I lose muscle mass instead of fat?

        Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of fasting on fat loss verses muscle loss and have found that the body preferentially burns fat rather than muscle in times of fasting.  This makes sense because since the body stores fat when it has more calories than it needs so why would it preferentially decide to burn muscle instead of fat during periods of fasting?

        Can women fast?

        Yes, there have been studies which show that women and men can lose fat equally when fasting – approximately ½ pound of fat per day of fasting on average (Drenick EJ. Am J Publi Health Nations Health. 1968 ME; 58(3): 477-484)

        Advantages of Fasting:

        • Flexibility (you can do it some of the time, and not others)
        • Convenience (save time with shopping/cooking)
        • Free
        • Simplicity
        • Unlimited power – you can keep losing weight until you get to your appropriate weight.

        Benefits of Fasting beyond just weight loss:

        There are several benefits to fasting which are being studied other than to simply lose weight. Many of these studies have been done in animal models are ongoing studies in humans is currently taking place. Some of these benefits may include:

        • Increased lifespan – this has been seen in animal models.
        • Decrease risk of some cancers.
        • Decrease risk of age related neurogenerative disorders such as dementia (Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease)
        • Improved cognitive function (learning and memory)
        • Improved mood

        What is the theory behind fasting causing a boost in brain power?

        The idea is that fasting causes challenges to the brain in the form of a mild oxidative stress which causes the brain to adapt by increasing mitochondria and producing neurotrophic factors.  These factors cause the brain to become more active, increasing neurogenesis (creating of more nerve cells), growth and synapse formation (more connections between brain cells) and resistance to degeneration.  This makes sense from a biological perspective because if you’re hungry and haven’t found food, you need to adapt in order to find food or you will not succeed in life.

        What are the possible side effects of intermittent fasting?

        Some people develop what is called the “keto flu” which really isn’t a flu or infection at all.  It is a constellation of symptoms that can occur while their body is adjusting from using glucose as fuel their fuel source to using ketones for fuel. It is usually caused from a deficiency in one or more of the important minerals.

        Symptoms may include:

        • Decrease energy or dizziness
        • Body aches
        • Sugar cravings
        • Difficulty focusing
        • Nausea
        • Irritability
        • Nausea and stomach irritability
        • Constipation or diarrhea

        All of these symptoms usually go away within a few days and can be minimized by keeping well hydrated (drink more water) and getting enough sodium (salt).

        Why could your salt levels (sodium/potassium) potentially become low with a fasting?

        Ketosis (from breaking down fat to use as energy) causes the kidneys to accelerate the excretion of salt.

        How much salt do I need per day?

        5 grams of sodium per day which equates to about 2.5 level teaspoons of salt per day.  Most naturally healthy, whole food containing diets have about 3 grams of sodium that can come from foods that you would normally eat such as olives, pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, bacon, etc. For this reason, it is likely that you may need to support a fasting diet with additional salt that can come from broth or salty foods (if you choose a calorie restricting fast).   If you have hypertension or heart failure that you take medications to treat, it is very important to work with a doctor familiar with this diet.

         Adequate intake of minerals is extremely important and those include:

        1)  Sodium – if depleted, can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue when exercising and/or constipation.  With nutritional ketosis your kidneys excrete more salt so you need to increase the salt in your diet as long as you do not have heart failure or severe hypertension.  Some people find may prefer to use bouillon cubes instead of bone broth to help ensure adequate sodium levels.

        2)  Potassium important for heart and muscle function.  You can get this from broth

        3)  Magnesium – depletion can lead to muscle cramps after exercise or at night.

        4)  Calcium – necessary for bones, nerve and muscle function – this is also found in broth.

        If you have a medical condition such as diabetes (type 1 or type 2), hypertension, heart failure or take medication, it is very important to work with a doctor familiar with the ketogenic/high fat, low carb diet.  This is because you will likely need to modify your medication regime because you may likely need a decreased dose or may even be able to stop some of your medications.  If you don’t carefully adjust your medications while changing to this diet, you could become sick.

        Can I eat or drink anything other than water while I’m fasting?

        This is controversial.  You should definitely drink water and I recommend adequate intake of salt from consuming broth.   The goal is to keep your insulin levels from rising so that your body is able to mobilize your stored fat and use that as energy.  If you eat or drink anything with calories, this could jeopardize the entire process.

        How to know you are in ketosis with intermittent fasting:

        Some people prefer having some sort of physical evidence (lab test) so they can verify that their body is in ketosis (breaking down fats to use for energy).  There are several ways of verifying ketosis.  A method that was popular in the past was to use a urine ketone dipstick which is a chemical test strip that is dipped into a urine collection cup to test the urine for ketones.  That urine test unfortunately isn’t very accurate.  A more reliable test to determine if your body is in ketosis is to check your blood ketone levels using a ketometer. The device is very similar to a glucometer that diabetic patients use to test their blood sugar.   There are multiple brands of ketometers on the market. I cannot recommend one over any others, but they can help you determine whether your body is breaking down fat for energy (in ketosis).

        You may also be interested to find out how your blood sugar rises/fall depending on the foods that you eat. Even if you don’t have diabetes, you are able to buy a glucometer and test your blood sugar.  You might be surprised to learn about how your blood sugar changes depending on which foods that you eat.

        It would be great to be able to test our insulin levels.  Unfortunately, we don’t have a good over the counter test to check insulin levels, but you can get an insulin level test done at your local laboratory with an order from your doctor.  Usually, if your blood sugar is low, that means your insulin level is also low – unless you have diabetes and are injecting yourself with insulin.

        This is written for informational purposes only, and I hope you find it helpful.

         

        Scott Rennie, DO

         

         

        What’s the skinny on how to lose weight?

        Weight-loss-846388

         

        Disclosures:  I have no conflicts of interest from any pharmaceutical company or research organization.  I do not make any money from sharing this information.  The purpose is for informational value for patients or others who are interested in learning what I have discovered about how to lose weight and also help improve the health for patients with diabetes or prediabetes.  I believe it’s very important to work with a doctor familiar with your diet, especially if you take medications to treat diabetes or heart related conditions so that together, you can ensure you remain safe whenever you change your diet.

        Weight loss is a popular topic, both in social media and in the doctor’s office.  I would suggest that a majority of major healthcare problems facing Americans today are related to being overweight or obese.  In fact, 75% of Americans are currently either overweight or obese and this statistic is rapidly worsening.

        How do you define a healthy weight, overweight or obese? 

        Body Mass Index (BMI) is the measurement that we use in the medical field and it’s a measurement of your weight vs your weight.

        Normal BMI  –             18.5 to 24.9

        Overweight BMI –       25 to 29.9

        Obese BMI –               30 to 39.9

        Morbidly obese BMI: 40 or above

        BMI measurement doesn’t work for professional athletes because they have so much muscle mass that the BMI calculation would say that they are obese, even though their percentage of body fat is very low.  For those patients, a % body fat calculation is more accurate:

        For Men:                                                                                 For Women:

        Obese – 25% or above                                                            32+ or above

        Average – 18 to 24%                                                               25 to 31%

        Fitness – 14 to 17%                                                                 21-24%

        Athletes – 6 to 13%                                                                14-20%

        Complications from the obesity/overweight epidemic:

        • Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes)
        • Increase risk of heart attack
        • Increased risk of stroke
        • Increased risk for some forms of cancer
        • Arthritis/joint pain due to the extra stress from the weight
        • Back pain
        • Low testosterone/sex drive
        • Low energy levels
        • Difficult to exercise because of the extra weight
        • Heat intolerance
        • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
        • Lower self confidence
        • Difficulty with bucket list items on to-do list after retirement such as travel due to decreased endurance, joint/back pain

        Many of my patients are struggling with weight gain issues and they often come in to ask my advice about how to lose weight.  Over the years, I’ve learning quite a few tips that have helped myself and my patients who want to accomplish this goal.  Most all of us have tried a diet.  We may lose a few pounds and then get discouraged when the weight loss stops or when we start feeling a lack of energy, cold, hungry and irritable.  Even more, if we do finally reach our goal weight and stop the diet, the pounds start piling back on leading to the yo-yo effect that is so common with dieters. So, what can you do to lose weight and keep those pounds off?

        Physiology of weight gain:

        Let’s start with discussing a little physiology regarding weight gain.  Most people don’t become overweight or obese overnight.  The body has a set-point that it considers as it’s “normal weight” that it would like to maintain.  For example, if you normally weigh 180lbs and then go on spring break and gain 10lbs by taking in lots of extra calories during that week, your body will increase your metabolism and actively try to burn those calories to get back to 180lbs. This is great, but there is also another side of this.

        Over years, if you take in more calories than you burn, your body may increase the set-point of what it considers your normal body weight to be and will try to maintain it.   For example, if you are now 230lbs and have been that weight for months or years, your new  normal weight set point may change from the initial set-point of 180lbs to 230lbs .  This can make it much more challenging for you to lose weight, because the body will do all it can to maintain this new body weight.  If you decide to lose weight by taking in less calories, say 1500 calories per day instead of 1800 calories, your body will recognize that you’re not getting enough calories to maintain this weight of 230lbs and will actively try to stop losing weight.  You may feel cold as your metabolism slows down.   Instead of your body burning 1800 calories/day to maintain your weight, your body may decrease its basal metabolic rate to burn only 1300 calories per day, so you feel cold, sluggish, hungry and irritable.  You may start losing weight at first, but as your body changes your basal metabolic rate, you might actually start gaining weight gain (remember you’re taking in 1,500 calories and the body has slowed its rate to burn 1,300 calories/day).

        Insulin and weight gain:

        You probably recall hearing about insulin in the context of diabetes, but it’s also a very important hormone in the context of weight gain.  Insulin is the hormone that helps us take energy that we eat which is processed into sugar and remove it from the blood and turn it into energy for use to power our brain, muscles and internal organs.  The problem is, if we take in too many carbs which get processed into sugar, that sugar will need removed from the bloodstream and either stored (as fat) or excreted (perhaps in the urine).  Our bloodstream can only hold 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of sugar at any given time so that sugar has got to go somewhere or we’d all get sick and end up in the hospital with elevated blood sugars.  Most of it gets stored as fat.  We don’t want that when we’re trying to lose weight.  We also don’t want to excrete sugar in the urine because that damages the kidneys.

        In some circumstances it is very appropriate to store food energy as fat, and insulin does its job, allowing you to store energy in your fat cells so that if you get sick or go through times when food is not available, you have reserves to get through those periods.  Most of us however, do not want to store fat, and we would rather that our bodies break it down and use excess fat as fuel, so we can lose weight.  The body is smart however and doesn’t want to break down your fat storage (lipolysis) at the same time it’s storing that orange juice (with lots of sugar) that you just drank.  It’s important to understand that certain foods stimulate the body to secrete insulin more than others.  In general, high carbohydrate foods cause the pancreas to release more insulin which signals the body to store the food you ate as fat.

        Carbohydrates:

        What is a carbohydrate anyway?  You probably already know that there are three main macronutrients that we take in as food.  Proteins, fats and carbohydrates (carbs).  Carbs can come in the form of sugar, but also are in starchy foods such as rice, potatoes, noodles, grains/breads.  They are also in foods such as fruits and vegetables.  We already know that some foods have more carbs than others.   Carb intake stimulates the body to secrete insulin in order to bring down the blood sugar and store that sugar in our fat cells.  Of course, we don’t store all the sugar that we consume as fat, but since our 5 liters of blood supply can only hold about a teaspoon of sugar (4 grams) at any given time, we have to use it up quickly (some athletes such as marathon runners can do this) or it will be stored as fat (and a little as glycogen in the muscles and liver).

        The USDA food pyramid that was released in the 1970’s that we are all familiar with put carbohydrates at the base and indicated that we should get 50-60% of our calories from carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, rice and pasta.  Fruits (which are also high in carbs) are listed in the middle of the pyramid. Unfortunately, since these recommendations were released, the obesity and diabetic epidemics have become widespread public health concerns.  Many experts are now suggesting that consuming so much of our food for carbohydrates is what is leading to the obesity epidemic in America.

        Fat:

        When I was growing up and learning about nutrition, I remember hearing that fat is bad, and we should avoid it.  The truth is, our body needs fat in order to function properly.  It’s also a myth that eating fat will make you fat. Certain populations of people around the world consume large amounts of fat and have lower body weights overall than Americans.  These populations of people have less diabetes and obesity related health problems. There are different forms of fat, some good and some not-so-good. Fats can be solid or liquid at room temperature. If a fat is solid at room temperature it is a saturated fat.  If it is liquid at room temperature, it’s unsaturated fat or oil.

        We now know that we should try to avoid polyunsaturated fats such as margarine, Crisco, and certain oils (canola, vegetable/soybean, corn, sunflower, grapeseed, peanut, safflower, cottonseed).  These polyunsaturated and trans fats are often found in processed foods at the grocery store and fast food restaurants.

        Oils that are considered much better for you include olive, coconut, palm, avocado, walnut, hazelnut, almond, macadamia nut, sesame, fish.

        In the 1970’s there was some controversial research that came out that recommended that Americans “cut the fat” from our diets.  The food pyramid that we are all familiar with put fats at the top of the pyramid (along with sweets) indicating that we should consume them sparingly.  I say that this is controversial because there is growing evidence that consuming a high fat diet is not necessarily bad for you, and many researchers have shown that a high fat/low carb diet is beneficial for weight loss because consuming fat does not cause insulin spikes that lead to weight gain.  Consuming fat also leads to a feeling of satiety and that means that you feel full for longer after eating a meal higher in fat than you would if you had consumed a meal with a similar calorie count that was made up of mostly carbs.

        Protein:

        Protein is the other macronutrient that is important in our diet.  It is important to remember that protein, although it does not inherently contain sugar/carbs, can be processed by the liver and turned into sugar in our bodies if we consume too much.  I’m explaining this because some people who are new to low carb diets decide to eat multiple servings of meat and other high protein foods and when they consume too much protein their bodies can process these foods into sugar through the process of gluconeogenesis thus leading to difficulty losing weight.  If you’re trying to lose weight, I recommend a moderate intake of protein.

        The diet for weight loss: Low carbohydrate/High Fat (LCHF)

        I recommend a low carbohydrate, high fat diet which is also known by the abbreviate LCHF.  Others may call it a ketogenic diet.

        In general, I believe that eating “real food” as opposed to highly processed foods is much better for your health and for weight loss.  Foods that are lower in carbohydrates do not stimulate the body to secrete high levels of insulin and thus have less of a fat storage effect and will allow your body to go into a state of ketogenesis.  Ketones are a byproduct of fat burning and can fuel the body much like glucose (sugar).

        What foods are good to eat that are low carb/high fat (LCHF)?

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        • 1). Avocados
        • 2). Cheese
        • 3). Eggs
        • 4). Fatty fish
        • 5). Nuts
        • 6). Olive Oil
        • 7). Grass fed beef
        • 8). Coconut
        • 9). Dark Chocolate
        • 10). Greek Yogurt (without fruit)
        • 11). Wild Salmon
        • 12). Heavy cream/milk
        • 13). Tuna
        • 14) Duck
        • 15). Bacon
        • 16). Butter
        • 17). Cottage cheese
        • 18). Best nuts – macadamia, pecans, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, (avoid peanuts, pistachios and cashews)
        • 19). Most vegetables (careful with some root vegetables such as carrots that have higher sugar content).

         What are foods that I recommend avoiding to lose weight?

        • Sugar sweetened beverages (soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, frappuccinos, etc.)
        • Breakfast cereals
        • Cookies
        • Candies
        • Crackers & chips
        • Pastries, doughnuts and muffins
        • Ice cream
        • Jams and Jellies
        • Yogurt with lots of sugar
        • Be careful with fruit – most have lots of sugar
        • Most items that say low fat are actually high sugar
        • Processed foods – most foods in the grocery stores are processed foods these days
        • Avoid too much protein

        Do I need to count calories?

        Yes and no.  When eating a lower carbohydrate –  higher fat diet, people tend to feel full faster and for longer periods of time compared with eating sugar/carbs.  If you eat too much of anything, including fat, you can gain weight however.  This is much less likely with fat than carbohydrates.

        Why should fat/protein make you full faster and for longer than carbohydrates?

        Carbohydrates/sugar do not stimulate the satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin.  These hormones that are normally released when you eat a higher fat diet are what signal the brain to tell you that you’re full after you eat a meal.  The bad thing is that these hormones aren’t released after eating sugar/carbs, so after drinking a 300-calorie soda, you aren’t as likely to feel full as you would be after eating 300 calories of avocados and eggs for example.

        Can I just exercise and lose weight instead of control my diet?

        There is no denying that exercising is healthy for your body.  The question about using exercise for weight loss is more interesting. I don’t know about you, but I could eat a 200-calorie cookie in just a couple minutes (maybe less) and I would have to run for at least 20 minutes to burn those calories off.  I could also easily eat 3 or 4 cookies in just a few minutes and I would not be able to keep up with burning all those calories with exercise alone. Most experts would agree that it’s much easier to lose weight by changing your diet than it is to simply start exercising more.

        Exercise is great for your body and it helps improve mood.  Being physically fit helps you feel better in general.  Physical fitness helps improve longevity and decreases muscle pain.

        What about alcohol?

        Certain kinds of alcoholic drinks have more carbohydrates and sugar than others. Beer can be very high in carbohydrates and so can spirits/hard liquor that’s mixed with fruit juices or soda. Wine and spirits (without mixers) tend to be lower in carbohydrates than beer and mixed drinks.  Be careful with alcohol because it’s easy to drink more than you meant to and eat foods along with the alcohol that are unhealthy.

        Is it safe to use the Low Carb/High Fat Diet (LCHF) or Ketogenic diet if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetic?

        Certainly, but I recommend working with a doctor who understands the ketogenic diet. This is important because within a few days of this diet, you will likely require less medication.  If you already use insulin, you can expect to lower your insulin requirements (or better yet,  be able to stop injecting insulin) when you decrease your carbohydrate intake.  If your insulin requirements aren’t monitored closely with this dietary change, you can become sick.  Lowering insulin demands can however be very beneficial because you’re treating the cause of the problem in type 2 diabetes which is taking in too many carbohydrates and insulin resistance.

        In my type 1 diabetes patients who have adapted to a LCHF diet, they report more stable blood sugars (less extreme highs or lows) and a lower overall A1c.

        How many carbohydrates should I limit myself to?

        I usually recommend trying to keep your carb intake to 20 grams or less per day.  This can be very challenging in the beginning as you learn how much sugar and carbohydrates are in so many of the foods that you’re used to eating.  It’s important to check to nutritional labels on the back of the foods to determine sugar and carbohydrate content to make educational decisions about your food.

        How to know you are in ketosis and intermittent fasting:

        Some people prefer having some sort of physical evidence (lab test) so they can verify that their body is in ketosis (breaking down fats to use for energy).  There are several ways of verifying ketosis.  A method that was popular in the past was to use a urine ketone dipstick which is a chemical test strip that is dipped into a urine collection cup to test the urine for ketones.  That urine test unfortunately isn’t very accurate.  A more reliable test to determine if your body is in ketosis is to check your blood ketone levels using a ketometer. The device is very similar to a glucometer that diabetic patients use to test their blood sugar.   There are multiple brands of ketometers on the market. I cannot recommend one over any others, but they can help you determine whether your body is breaking down fat for energy (in ketosis).

        You may also be interested to find out how your blood sugar rises/fall depending on the foods that you eat. Even if you don’t have diabetes, you are able to buy a glucometer and test your blood sugar.  You might be surprised to learn about how your blood sugar changes depending on which foods that you eat.

        It would be great to be able to test our insulin levels.  Unfortunately, we don’t have a good over the counter test to check insulin levels, but you can get an insulin level test done at your local laboratory with an order from your doctor.  Usually, if your blood sugar is low, that means your insulin level is also low – unless you have diabetes and are injecting yourself with insulin.

        Intermittent fasting (IF) is another hot topic in weight loss and does relate to ketosis.  I will not go into detail here about intermittent fasting except to explain that the idea is to decrease the frequency of the meals to 1-2 times per day or less to help your body develop an increased level of ketosis for more rapid weight loss. Individuals who fast often take in the same number of calories that they would usually eat spread out throughout the day but instead, they just eat once or twice day. There are some researches who have even reported that patients who using intermittent fasting can have longer life expectancy and reduced rates of cancer development.  More research is clearly needed in this field.

        What are the side effects of the low carbohydrate, high fat diet (LCHF)?

        Some people develop what is called the “keto flu” which really isn’t a flu or infection at all.  It is a constellation of symptoms that can occur while their body is adjusting from using glucose as fuel their fuel source to using ketones for fuel. It is usually caused from a deficiency in one or more of the important minerals.   Symptoms may include:

        • Decrease energy or dizziness
        • Body aches
        • Sugar cravings
        • Difficulty focusing
        • Nausea
        • Irritability
        • Nausea and stomach irritability
        • Constipation or diarrhea

        All of these symptoms usually go away within a few days and can be minimized by keeping well hydrated (drink more water) and getting enough sodium (salt).

        Why could your salt levels (sodium/potassium) potentially become low with a ketogenic diet?

        Ketosis causes the kidneys to accelerate the excretion of salt.

        How much salt do I need per day?

        5 grams of sodium per day which equates to about 2.5 level teaspoons of salt per day.  Most naturally healthy, whole food containing diets have about 3 grams of sodium that can come from foods that you eat such as olives, pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, bacon, etc. For this reason, it is likely that you may need to support a ketogenic diet with additional salt that can come from broth or additional salty foods.   If you have hypertension or heart failure that you take medications to treat, it is very important to work with a doctor familiar with this diet.

        Adequate intake of minerals is extremely important and those include:

        1.  Sodium – if depleted, can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue when exercising and/or constipation.  With nutritional ketosis your kidneys excrete more salt so you need to increase the salt in your diet as long as you do not have heart failure or severe hypertension.  Some people find may prefer to use bouillon cubes instead of bone broth to help ensure adequate sodium levels.
        2. Potassium important for heart and muscle function.  You can get this from broth, vegetables and unprocessed meats
        3. Magnesium – depletion can lead to muscle cramps after exercise or at night.
        4. Calcium – necessary for bones, nerve and muscle function – this is found in vegetables, dairy, cheese and broth.
        5. Vitamins – Vegetables are a good source of vitamins that you might otherwise get from fruit.

        If you have a medical condition such as diabetes (type 1 or type 2), hypertension, heart failure or take medication, it is very important to work with a doctor familiar with the ketogenic/high fat, low carb diet.  This is because you will likely need to modify your medication regime because you may likely need a decreased dose or may even be able to stop some of your medications.  If you don’t carefully adjust your medications while changing to this diet, you could become sick.

        A rare but possible side effect for some people who try the low carb/high fat diet is a raise in their bad (small dense LDL) cholesterol. This is rare, but I have had a few patients in who we noticed this. We don’t have a good explanation for why bad cholesterol increases in some patients but not others.   For patients who decide to try this diet, I monitor their cholesterol very closely and note that approximately 90% of the time, their cholesterol levels actually improve with the low carbohydrate/high fat diet.

        Other than weight loss, are there any other benefits to the low carbohydrate/high fat diet?

        Many of my patients have noticed the following:

        • Increased energy
        • Improved mood
        • Increased ability to focus
        • Increased testosterone levels
        • Improved diabetes – I’ve been able to take patients off insulin and put their diabetes into remission (type 2).

         

        I hope this information is helpful to you,

         

        Scott Rennie, DO

         

         

        Kratom – A relative new drug in Washington State is becoming popular

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        A heads up to parents and health care providers: I’ve recently had a surge of patients who come in or call us at Urgent Care due to the dangerous and addictive effects of Kratom, so I thought it was important to mention this drug since I’ve just recently learned about it.

        Kratom has been used for many years in Southeast Asia as a painkiller, recreational drug and to treat diarrhea.  The substance originates from the leaves of the Kratom tree. In Washington State, it is sold in a capsule filled with the powdered leaf material.  It may also be chopped up and used to make tea, or smoked.

        Kratom is in a newly defined class of drugs called “New Psychoactive Substances” named by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.  It is listed in the same class of drugs as Khat (a plant from east Africa), Salvia divinorum (plant widely available in the USA), and synthetics Ketamine and Mephedrone.

        Since Kratom is not technically considered illegal (yet), it is being sold at many recreational Marijuana shops in town, despite the dangerous and addictive effects that it has.  In Thailand, where it is widely used, it is illegal – in 2011, more than 13,000 people were arrested for Kratom-related crimes.

        The effects of Kratom come on rather quickly and last between 5-7 hours.  It is abused for it’s sedative or stimulative effects.  At low dosages it is a stimulant, making a person more talkative, sociable, and energetic, but at higher doses it creates lethargy and euphoria.  The experience and effects are not pleasant for every user.

        Possible Undesirable effects:  Nervousness, nausea & vomiting (can be severe), sweating, itching, constipation, delusions, lethargy, respiratory depression, tremors, aggressive behavior, psychotic episodes, hallucinations, paranoia.

        Possible Addiction effects:  Loss of sexual desire, weight loss, darkening of skin on face, cravings for more of the drug.

        Possible Withdrawl effects:  Diarrhea, muscle pain, tremors, restless & sleeplessness, severe depression, crying, panic episodes, sudden mood swings, irritability.

        The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was initially moving to ban its sale as of Sept. 30, citing an “imminent hazard to public safety.” In August, the DEA announced that it would make Kratom a Schedule 1 drug — the same as heroin, LSD, Marijuana, and Ecstasy. More recently, the DEA has however withdrawn its intent to make Kratom a Schedule 1 drug, and established a public comment period through Dec. 1. This is according to a preliminary document available on the Federal Register website and set to be published on Oct. 13. After the public comment period, the DEA could proceed with banning Kratom, (which would trigger another comment period,) take no action, or temporarily make Kratom a Schedule 1 drug.

        If you or someone you know is having health problems due to Kratom, I recommend consulting your healthcare provider.

        This document is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice for any individual patient.  If you have questions please contact your medical provider.

        I hope that you have found this information useful.  Wishing you the best of health,

        Scott Rennie, DO

        Blog: https://doctorrennie.wordpress.com

        Mystery Illness Seen in Washington State – AFM (Acute Flaccid Myelitis)

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        Very recently, a handful of patients (8 children) in Washington State have recently been diagnosed with AFM (Acute Flaccid Myelitis) which is a rare condition that affects the central nervous system (spinal cord) and cause weakness in arms/legs, and possibly facial droop/weakness, difficulty with moving they eyes, drooping eyelids and/or difficulty with speech or swallowing. As of September, 2016 – 89 people in 33 states were confirmed to have the rare illness according to the CDC website.

        Diagnosis:  If you think you or a family member has this condition, you should seek consultation with a medical provider.  But how do you know if it’s AFM that is causing the symptoms?  A doctor may be able to diagnose AFM by doing a careful examination and sometimes an MRI may also be helpful in assisting in the diagnosis.  An examination of the spinal fluid (which surrounds the brain) may be collected by a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) procedure and may aid in the diagnosis.

        There are also nerve tests that can be done which may also aid in the diagnosis however they have to be done at 7-10 days after the onset of the illness.

        Causes:  There are a number of viruses which have been though to possibly be the causal agents in the disease including enteroviruses (including polio), West Nile Virus, Japanese Encephalitis, Saint Luis Encephalitis, and various adenoviruses.

        AFM is not the only cause of weakness in arms or legs:  Other causes can include viral infections, environmental toxins, genetic disorders, or GBS (Guillain-Barre syndrome).  There are neurological disorders such as stroke (cerebral vascular accident) that can also cause weakness in an arm or leg or facial drooping so it’s important to seem medical attention immediately (call 911) if you or someone you know has these symptoms.

        Treatment:  No specific treatment exists for AFM, however a neurologist (nerve specialist) may be consulted to help make recommendations and help with the diagnosis.

        If you or your child is having problems walking or standing, or develop sudden weakness in an arm or leg, you should contact a medical provider right away.

        This document is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice for any individual patient.  If you have questions please contact your medical provider.

        I hope that you have found this information useful.  Wishing you the best of health,

        Scott Rennie, DO

        Blog: https://doctorrennie.wordpress.com

        *This information comes from the CDC website About Acute Flaccid Myelitis